On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 1, at the first diocesan Celebration of Creation, Trinity Cathedral welcomed a congregation that was unusually diverse, even for this culturally diverse diocese. First, there were the sounds-even before the service began, the babble of excited voices was punctuated by barks, yips, meows, growls and caws. Furry muzzles in various sizes, shapes and colors hung over the back of almost every pew.

But the opening procession made it plain that this service was no ordinary St. Francis Day blessing of pets. The crucifer and his dog, followed by readers, musicians, clergy, and adults and children carrying the banners of various parishes, led the way for a parade of creatures that would have seemed more at home in a zoo or an aquarium.

To the accompaniment of soft folk hymns on flute, guitar and piano, the honored guests of the day - which included black bear, camel, pelican, alligator, white tiger cub, python, donkey, lamb, tarantula and even several native Florida plants and a jar of "one-celled animals" - processed into the cathedral. Some were led into pens and cages below the pulpit and the lectern, and others (with their human companions) took places in the chancel.

The service continued with prayers, readings from scripture and from Marjory Stoneman Douglas's The Everglades: River of Grass, liturgical dance by dancers from St. Mary Magdalene, Coral Springs, creation hymns by the Praise Band of St. Mary Magdalene and the Spanish choir of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, North Miami Beach, an appearance by "Earthman" (Lanny Smith) and a homily by Bishop Leo Frade.

"We are interconnected," the bishop said, "not only with our human brothers and sisters, but with our brothers and sisters the animals…. We [human beings] are put here to take care of the whole thing, and we have done a very poor job of it. The next time the animals come in, perhaps we should ask them to forgive us…".

"We were given a job by God-to take care of his wonderful creation. Let's really do it!"

Sprinkling each of the visiting creatures with holy water, Bishop Frade blessed each of them "in the name of God, the Creator, who brought you into being." Then he turned and gave a surprise blessing to one more creature-Canon Fred Masterman, who as the diocesan staff contact for environmental ministry, was one of the chief organizers of the event.

After the service the bishop and other participating clergy blessed pets in the cathedral's north garden, while the special guest animals were available in the south garden for closer acquaintance (though not too close, in the interest of everyone's safety).

"Next year," Bishop Frade told Canon Masterman, "we need to have an elephant…."

--Mary W.Cox